5th Reading Assignment

Open Access Publishing in Science

Source:
Mann, Florian. Open occess publishing in science. ACM Digital Library. Communications of the ACM, March 2009 Vol 52 No. 3. Retrieved August 4,2009.

Exact URL:
http://delivery.acm.org/10.1145/1470000/1467279/p135-mann.pdf?key1=1467279&key2=3307829421&coll=ACM&dl=ACM&CFID=46154780&CFTOKEN=72790312

Abstract

The article "Open Access publishing in Science" discusses the application of the Open Access model to the dissemination of knowledge in the field of Science and its advantages and disadvantages. This model was also compared to the traditional, non-Open practice of publishing scientific works where subscribers are expected to pay fees to gain access to material. Research was done through the survey of 1433 researchers from 49 countries. Almost all of the sample population agreed that
Open Access publishing is suited to the goals of preserving and disseminating scientific knowledge and find the practice desirable. Almost half see a potential increase of their work reaching their audience more effectively. On the other hand, researchers also have fears that Open access publishing can jeopardize their promotion and tenure. Some also state that it will negatively affect their research funds as less will be needed if all sources follow Open access. This results in a wait and see attitude wherein few researchers and publishers think that Open Access is a common practice.


Finally, the study points out that while Open Access publishing is advantageous to traditional media in terms of wide and rapid dissemination of knowledge to the general and expert audience, some factors are currently only effectively supported by traditional media. Open Access has to address other factors such as long term availability, impact factor and a high profile editorial board in order for it to be sustainable. Processes such as collecting fees from authors who wish for their work to be published or delayed open access where information is only initially accessible for a fee have been suggested.



3 things I learned from the article:

-Open Access can bridge the gap on knowledge between rich and poor communities.

- Authors and Researchers are still hesitant to publish works in an Open Access environment due to economic reasons.

- Supporters of the Open Access model have found alternative ways to produce income to support their publications.


Application/Implication of the things I learned

As a student and a librarian the idea of Open Access publishing opens new opportunites. As a student it is obvious that if I had the ability to gain knowledge without the restrictions of financial or geographical constraints, along with the idea that a broader range of authors are within reach, the potential for learning is high. As a librarian I could better perform my function to serve my clientele if Open Access publications were available. This means that my clients too can be directed to a broader range of information and also this means that the library system I work under will not be burdened by budget constraints.